Photograph by: Jeff Vinnick, NHLI via Getty Images
, Postmedia News

VANCOUVER — The Life and Times of Vancouver Canucks netminder Roberto Luongo isn't a soap opera, but maybe it should be.

From superstar to backup, from signing a fabulous contract to one that “sucks,” Bobby Lou is always a story. There is no need for a script because his tale seems to write itself.

“I mean, that's part of life, you know,” Luongo said Friday of his soap-opera type existence. “You're thrown into different situations and you have to find ways to handle them the best you can. I'm not saying that I've handled every situation in my life the best way I could, but I try.”

Luongo, now 34, will again watch from the bench Saturday when the Canucks entertain the Calgary Flames and Cory Schneider makes his 10th straight start (7 p.m., CBC, Team 1040). Schneider has three shutouts in his last seven games and doesn't appear ready to surrender the net. Luongo gets that part of it and has no regrets either about his raw emotional display following the trade deadline.

“I was emotional and I said what I said,” he said. “Moving forward, I think it's important for me to be focused on being here and being 100 per cent focused on playing hockey. So I really don't want to be talking about anything that's happened in the past, or my future for that matter, except for my immediate future — the next month, or two months, or hopefully three months.

“We'll have ample time once the season is over to answer your great questions.”

If the story needed any further drama, Luongo's parents Pasqualina and Antonio happened to be in Vancouver Wednesday and they all went out to dinner to commiserate over his fate.

“No, I didn't go for a walk on the seawall, not this time,” Luongo said, referring to some of his clear-the-head playoff moments. “We went out for a nice dinner and that was pretty much it.”

What did they say, or what advice did they give?

“Well, not much,” he responded. “They tried to be supportive, the usual stuff parents say. They obviously want what's best for their son. I've been here for seven years and they know exactly what type of impact certain things have. They follow it as closely as anybody else and, you know, there is not much you can do but sit there and watch.

“I'm a big boy and I can make my decisions and conduct myself the way I want but, obviously, they're parents and they care and they're worried.”

With the Canucks facing only one more set of back-to-back games in their final 11 outings, Luongo is prepared for more nights wearing a ballcap.

“I'm aware of the situation,” he nodded. “It's just my job to be ready. I mean, things happens, it's hockey and I have to be ready and make sure that if and when I do go in there, I have to do my job.”

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